Prostaglandin-like activity in the aqueous humor following alkali burns.

Following application of 20 mul of 2 N sodium hydroxide to the rabbit cornea, the prostaglandin-like activity in the aqueous humor increased from undetectable levels to around 30 ng, per milliliter, a level which was sustained for up to 24 hours. This increase correlated with the previously reported sustained elevation of intraocular pressure following a 20 mul alkali burn. Pretreatment with aspirin or indomethacin virtually abolished the increase in intraocular pressure and elevation of prostaglandin-like activity in the aqueous humor following a 20 mul burn. Marked ocular hypotension following 50 mul and 100 mul sodium hydroxide burns correlated with very low prostaglandin-like activity in the aqueous humor. The low prostaglandin-like activity probably resulted from alkaline hydrolysis of aqueous prostaglandins and massive cellular death in iris and ciliary body tissues.